Question

Importance of survival of the fittest as the basic principle of competition in organic evolution was explained by

• A. Lamarck
• B. Darwin
• C. Mendel
• D. De Vries

Answer 1

The correct option is B Darwin

• Darwin explained the theory of evolution by means of natural selection.
  
• Natural selection is the mechanism by which new species arise from pre-existing ones. Natural selection states that there is 'struggle for existence' within a population and variation exists within all population.
  
• The continuous competition between individuals for environmental resources creates a 'struggle for existence' and this struggle makes sure that certain organisms would fail to survive or reproduce.
  
• This would eliminate less suited organisms and better-adapted organisms would survive and pass on their traits to the next generation leading to evolution.
  

So, the correct option is 'Darwin'.